Modernizing Climate Control at the Lyman Allyn

The Lyman Allyn Art Museum is pleased to announce…

A complete retrofitting of the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) equipment and control systems to modernize the Museum’s ability to maintain a stable, museum-quality environment for care and preservation of the art collection.

For the proper care and preservation of priceless art objects, it is very important to maintain stable temperature and relative humidity throughout the year – regardless of the huge variations of New England’s seasons. The goal is to maintain the environment inside the Museum at the relative humidity of 50% +/-5% and at a temperature setting of 70° +/- 2° Fahrenheit. This is a complex task that requires adding moisture into the air during the winter, and removing it during the summer. To accomplish this, industrial-strength equipment must constantly monitor prevailing exterior and interior climate changes and react to modify environmental conditions inside the museum. The equipment that currently does this at the Lyman Allyn was installed in 1991 and needs to be replaced.

The scope of work to be done includes replacement of the central heating boilers, the central air cooled chiller, seven large air handling fan units, monitoring and control systems for these units, an upgrade of the main entrance glass vestibule, and the replacement of the main roof. Fortunately, the existing ductwork that conveys the conditioned air to the galleries can be used largely as it is currently configured. In addition, the Museum will become much more energy efficient by virtue of switching from oil to natural gas, and from tungsten to LED lighting through the building. The project will take the better part of a year to bring it to completion.

As a result of this work, about 25% more public space inside the museum will be brought up to gallery conditions. Climate throughout the building will be much more reliably maintained. The Lyman Allyn will improve its ability to properly care for and preserve the artworks the Museum holds in trust for the residents of Southeastern Connecticut and visitors from all over the world.